The mainland's ports need more rail connections for containers to relieve traffic congestion and pollution, but a major obstacle to expanding rail container services is the powerful Ministry of Railways, officials say.

Mainland and Asian exporters could face equipment shortages this year similar to those that disrupted cargo shipments and affected imports into Europe and the United States in the early part of last year.

A worker plunged into the sea and tried to recover two empty containers that fell into the water off Kwai Chung No5 container terminal, at noon yesterday. He retrieved one but the other sank. Marine police and fire service vessels arrived at the scene, but the worker swam back to shore unhurt. Workers later used machinery to recover the second container.

A survey by activist group Greeners Action has found more than a third of local primary schools still serve lunches in disposable containers, resulting in about 130,000 containers dumped every school day. The survey polled 212 schools over the past two months.

Orient Overseas (International) Limited, a shipping company controlled by the family of former chief executive Tung Chee-wah, reported a 2.7 per cent fall in first-half operating profit to US$298.4 million as rising demand for its routes from Asia failed to offset higher costs and falling rates.

Multi-tasking is the selling point of these Luxus illuminated containers (pictured; $2,800). The German-made, 50-cubic-centimetre plastic tubs provide subtle lighting in the home and can be used as plant pots or drinks coolers for parties. They can be turned into portable seating (fitted cushions

Shipping lines are slowly coming to grips with equipment shortages caused by the recent United States port lock-out, but scheduling problems remain and the spectre of a new closure looms on the horizon.

Carriers for the past month have been absorbing the costs of urgently repositioning empty containers and excess capacity to service a flood of Asian exports to US consumers.

Computer goods worth more than $2 million were stolen from a delivery company in Yuen Long. Police were called to the firm's Castle Peak Road premises at 9am when a member of staff found two of the containers had been prised open and the goods had disappeared.

Customs officers seized $2.5 million worth of counterfeit goods in containers at Kwai Chung cargo examination compound. The goods, including handbags and underwear, were from the mainland and intended for export to Manila.